K.C. Alfred
Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith.<br><em>K.C. Alfred/Union-Tribune</em>
A.J. Smith has been pretty much underground since returning from the NFL Scouting Combine midweek, holed up at Chargers Park securing the Chargers a strong safety.

The general manager surfaced yesterday – perhaps just in time, considering he won’t be able to comment on anything other than the draft if there is a lockout -- and wound up addressing his former and hopefully future free safety.

Smith still won’t talk about Bob Sanders, the strong safety the Chargers have agreed with on a one-year contract. That deal’s official completion is held up due to a paperwork issue the league is a little too preoccupied to deal with just yet. Since it’s not official, Smith isn’t commenting.

But, for now, the Chargers have in their possession Eric Weddle, who has started for them the past three years at free safety. And Smith was willing to talk about him.

The Chargers have long been known to want to retain Weddle and have expressed as much to his agent. But the team has been unwilling to talk expansively about a deal with almost anyone the past three years. And soon, whenever a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached, Weddle is expected to be an extremely hot commodity on the unrestricted free agent market.

Weddle, who has been open to a new contract with the Chargers for some time, this week expressed a desire to stay in San Diego but also a willingness to leave. He and his agent expressed some consternation that the Chargers have not reciprocated their willingness to get down to business.

On Saturday, Smith articulated his own opinion on the matter.

“First, we don’t know Eric’s status yet,” Smith said, referring to the fact the NFL considers Weddle a restricted free agent under the current CBA. “Second, if he should become (an unrestricted) free agent, I would hope by now everyone understands how we operate around here.”

That, of course, is a reference to Smith’s oft-stated mantra that the Chargers decide who remains a Charger, the timing of contracts and their monetary value.

“Eric is a great kid and an outstanding player,” Smith said. “He is exactly the type of player we want to be a part of the Chargers organization. If we should offer a contract, we would present a contract to his agent, David Canter, both in years and money. Our hope then would obviously be he likes it and accepts. If not, as Eric said, he will be moving on in a heartbeat, as will we.”

Smith then turned his attention to Canter, who stated his disappointment the Chargers have not wanted to engage in substantive talks.

“Regarding David Canter and his comment he is ‘baffled,’ “ Smith said, “(Chargers vice president) Ed McGuire has had several conversations with David regarding Eric. I have also had a conversation with David regarding Eric, and Coach Turner has talked with David.

“All I can say is I’m baffled (that) he’s baffled regarding our position at this point in time.”

While Smith’s take is, as usual, straightforward and provocative, it is all part of the process. His history is to deal on his timetable but to ultimately make the best effort to keep players he wants. It wouldn't be a stretch to say Weddle will be the Chargers' top priority once the new league year begins. That doesn’t mean he won’t receive a substantially better offer elsewhere, but the Chargers are expected to present a competitive deal.

First, everyone must await the outcome of continued CBA negotiations. Weddle is one of at least a dozen players expected to be unrestricted free agents that the Chargers must address when the time comes.

“Once we have clarity and direction on who our free agents are,” Smith said, “we will proceed and let you know which players we would like to have back and which players we have decided to inform that we will be going another direction.”

It's hard to make a very clear stance when weddle's own status is clear as mud. If he's an rfa then he has little chance to go anywhere. If he's a UDFA then there's negotiations to be had

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I doubt the Chargers even expect him to be a RFA. There is little to no chance that the RFA time stays at 6 years. It will more than likely drop back to 4, where it was for a long time, and possibly drop to 3 as a concession for a rookie cap.

There should be negotiations to be had, but based on AJ's quote, there won't be:

"If we should offer a contract, we would present a contract to his agent, David Canter, both in years and money. Our hope then would obviously be he likes it and accepts. If not, as Eric said, he will be moving on in a heartbeat, as will we."

Sounds to me like another take it or leave it situation. He will offer a deal, and there is no room to budge. Either Weddle accepts it, or he goes to another team. Sorry, but refusing to negotiate is a bad business stance.

By the way, I am not saying just give him what ever he wants, I am just saying negotiate and don't take a hard line stance